Buccaneers, NT Vita Vea agree to four-year extension worth over $73 million
Vita Vea can confidently call Tampa your home for years to come.
The team announced on Saturday that the Defensive Tackles and the Buccaneers have agreed a four-year extension. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pellisero, the deal is worth more than $73 million.
The VA has become an essential part of Tampa Bay's defense in its first four seasons. The former 12th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft has developed into a strong, powerful interior lineman, capable of taking on double teams, bridging gaps and, perhaps most importantly, pass-rushing scenarios. There is a significant push on the centers and guards. He has developed a reputation for being an internal wrecking ball and helps cement the strength of the Buccaneers' defense between tackles, while teammates Shaquille Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul handle edge rushing.
At 26 years old, the former University of Washington star has proven to be worth the high pick he spent on him. VA has been reliably productive, with 11.5 sacks in 49 games played, a career-high 4.0 sacks in 2021, with 104 tackles (16 for a loss) to go. His only hindrance has been intermittent injuries which are not uncommon for players who call the interior home.
The Buccaneers are looking to score a Super Bowl run again in 2022, too, not forgetting about their future. And coming to one detail, it's clear that VA will be a significant part of it.
